Chapter 720: Li Shensi

When Duan Rong and Fan Hongjiao entered the council hall, Zhu He was already seated in the chair in front of the screen.

Duan Rong’s brow slightly twitched as he noticed Zhu He’s face was grave, not the usual calm and gentle expression.

Something must be up!

Wu Shidao, Lu Geng, and Wang Yue in the hall also sensed something amiss and sat obediently, not daring to utter a word.

After Fan Hongjiao and Duan Rong entered, they took their respective seats.

Seeing everyone was present, Zhu He cast a cold glance around and said in a deep voice, “There is a troublesome matter for which I have called you here to discuss.”

Everyone could tell from Zhu He’s expression that something had happened.

Fan Hongjiao remained silent, but Wu Shidao smiled faintly and said, “Yunfu Peak has always been united; if there is a matter, it is time for us disciples to serve.”

Zhu He glanced at Wu Shidao and praised, “Well said, Shidao! You are truly filial.”

The others all looked at Wu Shidao upon hearing this, but Wu Shidao remained calmly seated, ignoring their glances.

After praising Wu Shidao, Zhu He continued expressionlessly, “After the Minister of the Secretariat, Zhu Shizhong, died over half a year ago, the position has been vacant for several months. The duties have been temporarily managed by the Mansion Master of Divine Cloud Prefecture, Wang Maochun…”

As Zhu He spoke, his gaze flickered over to Duan Rong and continued, “After a tug of war lasting nearly half a year, a candidate was finally chosen. Shidao should be aware of this matter.”

Wu Shidao responded, “Over two months ago, the new Minister of the Secretariat took office. The vacancy was filled by Li Shensi, the Mansion Master of Nanyang Prefecture.”

Lu Geng stared upon hearing this and said, “From a local Prefecture City directly promoted to Minister of the Secretariat in Divine Cloud Prefecture, isn’t this an instant rise to heaven?”

Wu Shidao said, “There was no other suitable candidate. They simply chose an outsider from the locales. At least, this way avoids further conflict. We can’t have two consecutive Ministers of the Secretariat die in office. The reputation in the Mortal World must be maintained.”

Fan Hongjiao rolled her eyes at Wu Shidao as if to say, ‘You know it all.’

At this point, Zhu He’s expression turned even darker.

Wu Shidao didn’t mind Fan Hongjiao’s eye-roll, but noticing Zhu He’s change in expression, he realized he might have said something wrong and immediately fell silent.

Everyone in the hall was silent, so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

Zhu He paused for a moment and said solemnly, “This Minister of the Secretariat might also die in office!?”

His words made everyone present change their expressions.

“This…” Wu Shidao’s eyes were filled with disbelief.

Fan Hongjiao, however, looked at Zhu He and asked, “Is this Minister of the Secretariat their man?”

Zhu He glanced at Fan Hongjiao and said, “Indeed! When Li Shensi was in Nanyang Prefecture, they approached him and negotiated terms first, then recommended him to Divine Cloud Prefecture. I thought they wouldn’t want further trouble, since, as Shidao mentioned, another death in office would severely damage reputations. But surprisingly…”

Fan Hongjiao angrily slammed the table and shouted, “I’ve said before there’s no point in negotiating with that group. They’re just a bunch of devils and monsters, always scheming together with ill intentions!”

Zhu He and Wu Shidao exchanged a glance, unable to tell if Fan Hongjiao was scolding Lv Zhongtang, Ge Rusong, and their ilk, or criticizing themselves, as they were discussing less than honorable matters.

Wu Shidao’s eyes moved, and he said, “They already got to Li Shensi in Nanyang Prefecture. Master, is this information accurate?”

Zhu He said, “The information is reliable, but unfortunately a bit late. It was two months into his term when we found out.”

Wu Shidao’s face flushed a bit; Zhu He had previously asked him to investigate Li Shensi, but he had found nothing at that time.

“This person cannot stay,” Zhu He said leisurely, glancing significantly at Wu Shidao before continuing, “Shidao, as you just mentioned, with two Ministers of the Secretariat dying in office, the public outcry would be enormous if Li Shensi also died. This is part of Lv Zhongtang and Ge Rusong’s cunning. We must handle this with utmost caution!”

Wu Shidao said with a heavy heart, “Master, this matter must be handled with absolute secrecy.”

Zhu He nodded and said, “Any slip could land us in serious trouble.”

Fan Hongjiao looked at Wu Shidao and said, “Aren’t you good at this? Didn’t you handle the last matter quite cleanly?”

Wu Shidao said, “It’s not as easy as you make it sound, Senior Sister. Last time, we were in the dark and they in the light, and neither side had acted in the Mortal World yet. We struck suddenly, catching them off guard. But this time it’s different; the other side is likely well-prepared.”

Fan Hongjiao replied, “Why all the fuss? I can just cover my face, go over and assassinate the guy, who would stop me?”

Zhu He glared at Fan Hongjiao and angrily said, “Assassinate the Minister of the Secretariat in public? Do you think the public uproar isn’t loud enough already?”

Seeing Zhu He a bit angry, Fan Hongjiao immediately fell silent.

Zhu He pondered for a moment, then suddenly looked at the silent Duan Rong and asked, “Duan Rong, what do you think?”

“What do I think?” Duan Rong was slightly stunned that Zhu He would suddenly ask him, and said, “Master, I have no opinion. I’ve been focused on cultivation for the past half-year and am quite clueless about the affairs of Divine Cloud Prefecture.”